The Rise of Real People

On the runways of Milan last month, fashion designer Giorgio Armani made an unusual fashion statement. The man known for setting the standard for elegance  particularly in men's clothing  paid tribute to the working classes.

Instead of his usual idealized versions of Wall Street bankers and City solicitors, out came a parade of miners, soldiers, laborers. Well, models dressed to look like miners, soldiers, laborers. An idealized version of those he says are the new heroes, the people most worthy of our respect. "I want...